Endoscopic instrument



July 16, 1935. F. c. WAPPLER 2,008,525

ENDOSCOPIC INSTRUMENT Filed NOV- 6, 1931 INVENTOR Fulen h Mfl/ffh;

y A ORNEY Patented July 16, 1935 51k [um-TED STATES PATENT, OFFICE ENDosoorIo INSTRUMENT ,1 M Frederick Charles Wappler, New York, N. Y. I l J Application November 6,1931, Serial No. 5731389 7 Y 9 Clalms. (c1. 17 1-7-89) My present invention relates generallyto surgical instruments; and has particular reference to an improved endoscopic instrument.

It is a general object of my invention to provide 5 5 an improved endoscope 'of the type which is adapted to accommodate a longitudinally movable electrode rod having an operative loop ar rangedtransversely and adapted to project laterally'out of a fenestra in the endoscopic tube.

l It'is a more particular object to provide an "hel or the like through an internalprotrusion,

the endoscope'is arranged to engage such protrusion; and when the'electrode rod is moved 20 longitudinally, the operative loop resects the de- "sired channel in a more expeditious and reliable manner. i it Aparticular feature of my invention lies in the provision of means whereby the operative loop is caused to complete its cutting'or resecting opera- 'tion in shearing relationship with an end edge of the endoscopicfenestra" through which it projects. The shearing action thus provided for is of great advantage in efliciently and reliably finishing off the cuttingoperation which is-being performed.-- a r r A further and more particular feature of my invention lies in providing a' yieldable means which constantly urges the operative loop laterally out" of the ienestra; in combination with a meansfor guiding or camming the operative loop inwardly during the completion of its cutting operation, whereby the loop is brought into shearing relationship with an edge of the fenestra. 1 i

l Another feature of my invention liesin providing an endoscopic'tube designed primarily for use.

trical connections.

f-intenference with the desired or necessary e'lec- I achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of one type of endoscopic instrument embodying the features of my present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational cross-section of the forward end of the instrument;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view taken fromthe 16 bottom of Figure v2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary end view; and

Figures 5-8 are cross-sectional views taken substantially along the corresponding lines indicated in Figure 2 and illustrating the manner in which the electrode loop is guided.

The endoscopic'tube I0 is provided at its forward end with a lateral ienestra l l and is shown,

Figure 1, combined with the more or less conexample, of the handle l8. V f The telescope is preferably of the character 3} illustrated and described in United States ,Letters Patent No. 1,680,491, having an electriclamp [9 at itsforward tip and provided with .an operative lens which commands an obliquely forward field of vision.

The electrode rod 2| is preferably insulated and is guided incits movements, by means of a substantially hemispherical fin 22 which preferably engages the telescope I3 by means of'one or more clips 23,01 the like. r

The forward portion 24 of the fin 22 hangs free, and is constructed of resilient material shapedto assume substantially the position of Figure 2 under normal conditions. It is to be noted that this free end 24 serves as a spring which bears yieldably against the electrode rod 12! near the forward end of the instrument so as to urge the rod 2| laterally against the fenestrated wall of the tube It). y at its forward end, the rod 21 is provided so with an operative, uninsulated loop 25 which" is substantially U-shaped and arranged in a plane substantially transverse to the axis of the tube M, The loop 25 is preferably supported at the ends of two forwardly divergent arms 26 shown '65 :tion of Figures 2, 3 and 4.

'is shown most clearly in Figure 4. In the absence of 'my present construction, the rearward movement of an electrode rod under these conditions would bring the operative portion thereof 7 into abutting relationship with the wall of the endoscope. Further rearward movement would be thereby impeded, and no shearing action of any character would be accomplished by the loop.

In accordance with my present invention, the

,-loop is so shaped as to becapable of effecting a shearing action in connection with the rear edge 1270f the fenestra H; and the spring 24, in conjunctionwith the specially constructed arms 26, and in conjunction with the specially configured walls of the fenestra l l afford a means for automatically camming' the operative loop inwardly during the retraction of the rod 2|, whereby the loop is gradually brought into the positions shown in dot-an'd-dash lines in Figure 2 during the rearward movement thereon It is to be noted that in the extreme right dot-and-dash position of Figure"2, indicated also in Figure 8, the loop has been brought into direct shearingrelation- ,ship with respect to the edge 21. I This eiiiciently and reliably completes and finishes ofi any out which the operative loop has been engaged in. resecting.

'The' m'anner in whichthis desirable effect is achieved is indicated most clearly in Figures 2-8.

:When the rod 2! is advanced, the loop 25 is per- 'mitted:to assume the laterally projecting posi- It is positively urged into this position by means of the action of the spring 24, After the rod 2| is retracted, the arms 7 26 engage slidablywiththe side walls of the fenestrai 11-,fwhereby acamming action takes place since the arms 26 converge rearwardly. This camming action is indicated in Figures 5-8, and results from the" fact that the arms 26 automatically seek to accommodate themselves in the 'wi'derfportion of the tube It. When the rod 2] isadvanced, as shown in full-lines in Figure 2,

there is noconstriction upon the arms 26 and the spring 24 pushes the loop 25 laterally to its fullest extent; As the rod 2| is retracted, however, the arms 26 must either yield or move radially intothe tube l0 against the action of the spring 24. because of the camming engagement of these arms with the wallsof the fenestra l I. V

' Asa :result the loop 25 does not terminate its rearward movement in abutting encounter with the edge 2'! but, on the contrary, is guided or carnmed inwardly in a gradual manner so that the rearward movement terminates in a shearing action'between the loop'25 and the edge 21.

Although I have illustrated this desirable eiTect as being accomplished during a retraction-oi the rod 2|, nevertheless it will be understood that,

lind e r certain circumstances, the parts may be so arranged that this action will take place under jorward movement of the rod 2!. In such an event, the lateral fenestra l I would not flare for"-' wardly into the oblique relationship illustrated,

but would'terminate in a forward edge corresponding to the rear edge 21.

Furthermore, it will be understood that, although I have shown the entire tube l 0 composed of insulating material, nevertheless only the edge portion, and especially the end edge portion, of the fenestra need be of insulating material.

'It'will also be understood that, although I have designated the arms 26 as being 'unyieldable, and although the action of the device is dependent in a large measure upon this unyieldability, nevertheless a certain flexibility and resilience is inherently present and not only fails to interfere with the contemplated movements but definitely facilitates the desired operation.

The spring 24 may, of course, be provided in any desired manner, and the illustrated construction is shown'merely by way of example and is preferred. 7

In' general, it will be understood that changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose 'of' explaining the nature of my invention maybe made by those skilled-in the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these detailsbe interpreted asillustrative, andnot in a. limiting sense.

Having thus described invention and illuse trated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is I l v 1. An instrurnent. eithecharaeter described, comprising an endoscopic tube having a. lateral fenestra, a longitudinally movable electrode rod in said tube and provided with an operative, highirequency, resecting loop arranged in a plane, substantially transverse to the axis of the tube, yielfiable means in said tube for urging said loop laterally out of said fenestra, and means for camming said loop inwardly against the action of said yieldable means when the electrode rod completes its operative, longitudinal movement, so ask: bring the loop into shearing relationship with an end edge of said fenestra.

2. An instrument of the character described,

comprising an endoscopic [tube havinga lateral fenestra, a longitudinally movable electrode rod in said tube and provided with an operative, highfrequency, resecting loop arranged in a plane substantially transverse to the axis of the tube, yieldable means in said tube for urging said loop laterally out of said fenestra when the electrode rod 7 is advanced, and means'for camming'sald loop inwardly against the action of said yieldable means when the electrode rod completes" its operative, retractive movement, so as to bring the loop into shearing relationship with the rear edge of said fenestra. V 3. An instrument of the ;character described,

comprising an endoscopic tube having a lateral fenestra, a longitudinally ,movable electrode rod in said tube and provided with an operative, high;-

frequency, resecting loop arranged in a plane substantially transverse to the axis of the tube,'yieldable means in said tube for urging said loop laterally outof said'fenestra, and means associated with the loop andengaging the walls of the fenestra for cammingrthe loop inwardly against. the action of said yieldable meanswhenthe electrode rod completes itsoperative, longitudinal move.- ment, whereby the loop is brought into shearing relationship with an end edge of said fenestrai:

, 4. An instrument of the character described,

comprising an endoscopic tube having a lateral fenestra, a longitudinally movablelelectrode rod 76 in said tube and provided with an operative highfrequency, resecting loop arranged in a plane substantially transverse to the axis of the tube, yieldable means in said tube for urging said loop laterally out of said fenestra when the electrode rod is advanced, and means associated with the loop and engaging the side walls of the fenestra plane substantially transverse to the axis of the tube, a spring in said tube adapted tobear against said rod to urge said loop laterally out of said fenestra when the rod is advanced, and means carried by the loop rearwardly thereof and adapted to engage the walls of the fenestra for camming the loop inwardly against the action of said spring when the electrode rod completes its operative, retractive movement, whereby the loop is guided into shearing relationship with the rear edge of said fenestra.

6. An instrument of the character described, comprising an endoscopic sheath having a lateral fenestra, a longitudinally movable electrode rod in said sheath and provided with an operative highfrequency resecting loop at its forward end, said loop being arranged in a plane substantially transverse to the axis of the sheath, whereby the midportion of the loop may be caused to project laterally through said fenestra, and means for guiding said loop into shearing relationship with an end edge of said fenestra when the electrode rod completes its operative longitudinal movement, said end edge being of insulating material.

7. An instrument of the character described,

comprising an endoscopic sheath having a lateral fenestra, a longitudinally movable electrode rod in said sheath and provided with an operative high-frequency resecting loop at its forward end, said loop being arranged in a plane substantially transverse to the axis of the sheath, whereby the midportion of said loop may be caused to project laterally from said fenestra when the rod is advanced, and means for guiding said loop into shearing relationship with the rear edge of said Zfenestra when the electrode rod completes its operative retractive movement, said rear edge being of insulating material.

8. An instrument of the character described, comprising an endoscopic sheath composed entirely of insulating material and having a lateral fenestra, a longitudinally movable electrode rod in said sheath and provided with an uninsulated operative high-frequency resecting loop at its forward end, said loop being arranged in a plane substantially transverse to the sheath axis, Whereby the midportion of the loop may be caused to project laterally from said fenestra, and means for guiding said loop into shearing relationship with an end edge of said fenestra when the electrode rod completes its operative longitudinal movement.

9. An instrument of the character described, comprising an endoscopic sheath having a lateral fenestra, a telescope arranged within the sheath along the wall opposite said fenestra, the objective commanding a field of vision through said fenestra, a longitudinally movable electrode rod in said sheath and provided with an operative high-frequency resecting loop at its forward end, said loop being arranged in a plane substantially transverse to the sheath axis, whereby the midportion of the loop may be caused to project laterally from said fenestra, and means for guiding said loop into shearing relationship with an end edge of said fenestra when the electrode rod completes its operative longitudinal movement,

said end edge being of insulating material.

FREDERICK CHARLES WAPPLER. 

